Protector for boots and shoes.



No. 808,666. PATENTED JAN. 2,V 1906. O. W. LINTHIOUM. PROTECTOR FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. s. 1904.

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G. W. LINTHIGUM.

PROTECTOR POB. BOOTS AND SIIOIESl APPLIUATIQN FILED Nov. 5. 1904.

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UNITED ST ATES rAfrnNfr onirica.

CHARLES W. LINTHIOUM, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE S. LINTHIOUM, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

PROTECTOR FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

No. so ),eee.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1906.

Application filed November 5, 1904:. Serial No. 231,524.

snow, water, mud, and the like from gettingl over the top edge and into the interior of a boot or shoe.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts set forth in the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claim thereof.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a combination felt boot and overshoe with my improved protector attach ed thereto, the leg of the felt boot being broken away to save space in the drawings. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section, broken away and shown partly in elevation, of the boot illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isaperspective view of my improved elastic protector. Fig. 4 is a section, partly broken away and shown in elevation, of a modified form of my invention as applied to an overshoe and legging combined.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of theldrawings.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, 5 is a felt boot having a foot portion 6 and a leg portion 7. 8 is anl overshoe, the upper 9 of which is slitted at the front portion thereof, said parts being joined together, preferably, by a clasp 10. My improved elastic protector '11 consists, preferably, of a waterproof sheet' of material 12, the two ends of which are joined together by an elastic goring 13, making an endless collar, the upper edge 14 of which is fastened to the leg 7 the lower portion 15 of said protector projecting downwardly over the upper edge of the overshoe 8. The goring 13 preferably projects below the lower edge of the protector 11, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, in order that said goring may be engaged by the clasp 10 and prevent the protector from riding upwardly on the leg of the boot and above the upper edge of the overshoe. y

While I have illustrated my improved protector as applied to a combination boot and overshoe such as is commonly used by lumbermen and generally in cold countries, it is evident that a legging in combination with an ordinary shoe or a legging in combination with an overshoe may be usedin combination with my improved protector without departing from the spirit of my invention, and in Fig. 4 I have illustrated a legging 16, formed of any desirable fabric and having a protector 11 attached thereto and projecting downwardly therefrom over the upper edge of a 6 boot or shoe 8. A modified means of fasten ing the lower edge of the protector 11 to the shoe is also illustrated in Fig. 4, in which a strap or piece of tape 17 is provided with a snap-fastener 18, which engages the stud of a 7 0 snap-fastener 19, fast to the shoe 8. One of these fastening devices may be placed upon each side of the shoe, if desired, or at the back of the shoe, and thus e'ectually prevent any tendency of the protectorto creep upwardly until its lower edge is above the upper` edge of the shoe. i

It will be seen that by the use of my improved protector no water, snow, or mud can get over the upper edge of the shoe and into the interior thereof.

The practical advantages secured by the use of my improved protector are as follows: The device is so constructed and of such material that it adjusts itself to various sizes and thicknesses of bootsin such a manner as to form a tight joint between said protector and the shoe below the upper edge of said shoe, so that snow, water, mud, or other substance cannot pass over the top of the shoe and into the interior thereof. Again, a comparatively low lshoe may be used in combination with a felt vboot and the same advantage obtained as in a full height of the felt boot, whereas without the protector said device is water and snow tight only to the height of the overshoe. Third, the protector being made of yielding soft material, preferably in combination with an elastic goring, it conforms to the shape and diiferent positions of the boot in front, upon the back, and upon the sides, so that acertain easy and yielding motion is given to the device,

thus conforming to the foot, ankle, or leg when in motion as well as when not in motion. The device as a whole renders the combination boot and overshoe lighter and more comfortable, making the same much more practical for walking, working, or any kind of use to which the boot may be subjected. In fact, the device as a whole conforms to any position or attitude of the wearer, fits perfectly any regular or irregular thicknesses of the boot in different sizes in any position, and eX- cludes from the shoe any snow, water, mud, or other foreign substance.

While I have described my invention as particularly applicable to acombination boot, that is, a felt boot with a rubber overshoe thereon, it is evident that my improved protector may be applied to other styles of rubber or leather footwear when used in combination with a legging, whether said legging be that of a complete boot or simply a legging with a sock-foot attached thereto.

It will be seen and understood that the slitted sides of the upper may be joined together by a lacing instead of a metal clasp, if so desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire by Letters Patent to secure, is

The combination of a shoe, the upper of said shoe slitted at the front thereof,a fastening joining the slitted parts of said upper together, a legging extending upwardly from said shoe, a protector fast to said legging and projecting over the top of said shoe, said protector consisting of a strip of sheet material and a piece of elastic fabric joining the two ends of said sheet material, said elastic fabric extending downwardly below the top edge of said shoe and engaging said fastening.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES W. LINTHICUM.

Witnesses:

JNO. T. DINNIGAN, CHARLES M. LINTHICUM. 

